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| What do you guys think. According to tracking studies each musky developes a home range of sorts. To me this home range can affect it's growth rate and the age the fish will live to be because of the water it spends most of it's time. |
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| Todd,
I would have to say that I would agree on some of what you say, and disagree on others.
I do think genetics play a big role as to how big a fish can get. For example, the Shoepac strain of muskies that occur in a very limited amount in a couple northeastern MN lakes. Sure, they can establish a home range, but they never have grown larger than say 38 inches or so.
Also, I think forage has plenty to do with size and longevity. If forage is good, the fish has a better chance of staying healthy, which also supports growth. That (to me) would explain why some of the huge fish have been so girthy as well as being long. If this forage is highly utilized as part of a home range (which logically it would) all the better. given that in many instances the forage is deep (cisco or whitefish), the musky is in an environment that is somewhat protected from fishermen due to the under-utilization of trolling (on some waters). in general I would feel that the fish are harder to locate
But...think about this. What if the primary forage is fairly shallow (i.e. perch as one possible example) or forage is poor and shallow (sunfish maybe?), then the home range would have to consist of going shallow to eat, thus putting the fish at a higher risk of being caught by the general population of fishermen, due to the break-line fishing that is traditionally used. In this type of hypothetical scenario, I would think the fish would have a tough time getting large due in part to a higher potential of stress by being caught, and in some instances a poor diet.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Steve |
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| VMS
That is an interesting point you made about stress stunting growth. Has there been any studies on that subject. I read a paper on stress stunting antler growth a week or so ago.
MUSKY ILLINI
"I HUNT, THERE FOR I AM" |
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| I probably should have been a little more clear, I was referring to say one lake with the same strain of fish, everything being equal from berth. A fish spending it's time suspended in deep water would live longer than a fish that spends it's time up shallow in hotter summer temps, ect. |
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| I can tell you first hand that stress definitely reduces antler growth in deer, I raise them. It also takes a toll on their bodies and thus they are not as fat and healthy as they could be. I believe it would affect muskies the same way. The more they are caught or harassed or have to deal with stresses like high water temps the poorer their health will be. |
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| Illini,
I have not seen any studies on the effects of stress and length/girth. I should have stated that line differently in my response. What I meant with that portion of my response was I feel that shallow fish are more prone in some instances to being caught (possibly multiple times) by angling, to which too much stress could lead to premature death to many fish...thus limiting their ability to ever grow to their full potential size. Much of this, though, is dependent on how long the fish was played, how it was handled, and the condition of the fish prior to being caught. Lots of variables there that could easily skew my theory though...
But, come to think about that with stress (any kind) and size, I would think that could be a very interesting subject to study.
Todd, now that you have clarified, I would agree with you that the deep water deal would allow for more length and longevity.
Steve |
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